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Every day I get better at knowing that it is not a choice to be an activist; rather, it is the only way to hold on to the better parts of my human self. It is the only way I can live and laugh without guilt.
― Staceyann Chin

I was recently introduced to the amazing work of Feminist Spoken word artist Staceyann Chin and all I can say is that I hope to have the opportunity to meet this sistah souljah one day. I feel the fire that burns in her belly as I strive to make sense of the spaces I occupy every day. When asked by another African feminist sister #WhatFeminismMeansToMe, I said it is “Listening to the song of my soul and dancing to her tune.”

Feminism means lots of things to me – it is the lens through which I make sense of the world, and it’s exciting to connect with other young feminists around the world thinking about these issues. Here’s what Jessica Horn, an African feminist poet & co-creator of Our Space is Love had to say on the FRIDA – Young Feminist Fund facebook page:

I LOVE feminism. Yes I do. I LOVE the feeling of being part of a mass-movement of everyday people constantly messing with the patriarchal order of things, celebrating women, girls, people who transgress gender norms, asking why things are so unequal for all kinds of people, and offering new ways to frame our lives as human beings. Yes. I love feminism. And I love knowing that my feminism grew out of my mother’s revolutionary love and political consciousness. Yes a Ugandan woman born before independence- and feminism is hers and she helped me make it mine.

I couldn’t agree with you more sis! My feminism was definitely inspired by my mother, even though she might not realize it. By the time she was my age, she had dealt with more than I can even imagine dealing with in my entire life time, and yet she is one of the most loving, non-judgemental, spiritually grounded, wise, and powHerful women I know. Thank you for making me me. I love you mama!

So friends, what does feminism mean to you? Please share your comments here or join the conversation on twitter by using the hash tag #WhatFeminismMeansToMe.